Visit the museum website for more information.

Being connected to others is an important part of our health and well-being. But too many people are feeling alone. In Canada, millions of people say they feel lonely.

From May 4-10, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is inviting people across Canada to Come Together. This week is about small, simple acts of connection and recognizing that we all have a role in supporting mental health by reaching out to one another. You can learn more about the benefits of social connections here.

Together, we can strengthen mental health, build healthier communities, and help more people feel connected.

Visit the CMHA website to learn more.

The tours are free and take place in different neighbourhoods all over Winnipeg!

Visit the website for more information or to register.

The Festival relies on a huge team of volunteers like you.

READY to Volunteer? Whether you are returning to help or you are a new volunteer, please fill in the Jazz Winnipeg application, so you can be matched up with your ideal crew.

Jazz Festival Time Commitment: All Jazz Winnipeg Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 12-16 volunteer hours over the course of the Festival and attend 1.5 hours of training.

Learn more about each volunteer position, and fill in an application today!

Come say hello to dogs from the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. Spending time with animals can help us feel better. They can help lower stress, help our bodies relax, and make us feel less lonely. They can also help make us feel happy.

• Where: EDC – Atrium
• When: Tuesday April 28, 2026, 11:30 am to 1 pm

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Drop in, grab a seat at a table that catches your eye, and enjoy an easygoing evening of laughter, teamwork, and play.

No experience required, just come ready to have fun.

• When: April 21, 4PM-7PM
• Where: Dining Hall, The Roblin Centre

Visit the Campus Well-Being website for more information.

The Winnipeg Football Club is currently hiring for seasonal, part-time and event-day positions  

across stadium operations, food and beverage, retail, guest experience and event support.  

They are also looking for Volunteers to be Fan Ambassadors. 

• When: Saturday, April 11th, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM 

• Where: Princess Auto Stadium, 315 Chancellor Matheson Road
  • Enter Through Bomber Store at Gate 1 

• Applicants should bring their resume, photo ID, and Smart Choices certificate if applicable. 

Visit the Blue Bombers website for more information. 

RED Talks features short presentations followed by small-group discussions. The format allows language learners to hear from experienced leaders while practising English in a supportive and welcoming environment. This session highlighted stories of resilience and transformation and reminded students that growth often begins during moments of challenge and change. 

Rooted in identity and transformation 

The event opened with Dr. Tamara Chambers-Richards, dean of the School of Health Sciences and Community Services. Drawing on her journey across the Caribbean and Canada, she reflected on identity, resilience and the importance of staying connected to one’s roots. 

She spoke candidly about the challenges of starting over in a new country. These included navigating unfamiliar systems and balancing family responsibilities while pursuing graduate studies. Using the metaphor of a tree growing strong wherever it is planted, she reminded students: 

“From your roots come your shoots, from your shoots come your branches and your leaves, and from your leaves come your fruits.” 

Her message encouraged students to honour the strengths they carry with them and trust that those strengths will guide them as they build new futures. 

A journey of service, advocacy and community transformation 

Jorge Fernandez, CEO of the Immigrant Centre, followed with reflections shaped by his own arrival in Canada from Ecuador. What began as a role supporting Spanish-speaking students in a Winnipeg classroom grew into a decades-long commitment to helping newcomers build strong, confident and connected lives in their new communities. 

Fernandez spoke about the power of showing up for others and how small acts of support can ripple outward to transform entire communities. His leadership is grounded in empathy, cultural understanding and a deep belief that every newcomer brings strengths that enrich Manitoba. 

Drawing on years of frontline and executive experience, he emphasized that settlement work is not just about services. It is also about dignity, belonging and creating pathways for people to thrive. His message of optimism, perseverance and community resonated with students, many of whom saw their own journeys reflected in his story. 

From adversity to impact: the strength of authentic communication 

The event concluded with Nicole Harris, founder and CEO of Solv Communications. With more than 25 years of experience advising global leaders and organizations, she spoke about trust, reputation and the importance of authentic communication. 

Harris shared her personal story, “From Poverty to Purpose,” a journey shaped by adversity, opportunity and the belief that challenges can become catalysts for transformation. She reflected on the idea that even difficult moments can lead to something meaningful, noting that you cannot experience a rainbow without a little rain. 

She also emphasized the importance of community and collective strength. No one succeeds alone, she said, reminding students that “greatness is built with the greatness of others.” Her message of connection and encouragement left a lasting impression on students and guests alike. 

Dialogue, connection and shared stories 

After each presentation, students gathered in small groups to reflect on the speakers’ insights and share their own perspectives. These conversations are central to RED Talks and give students the chance to practise English while connecting their own journeys to the experiences shared by the speakers. 

The event offered more than language practice. It reminded participants that resilience, transformation and possibility often begin with a single step and the courage to share our stories. 

Through events like RED Talks, CNI continues to create spaces where learning extends beyond the classroom. Dialogue, connection and community help students build confidence and shape their futures in Canada. 

Hosted by the Centre for Newcomer Integration (CNI), the event featured short presentations from internationally educated health professionals followed by small-group discussions at each table. The format allowed students to listen, reflect and practise speaking in a supportive environment. 

The speakers’ stories — honest reflections on the challenges and progress involved in rebuilding a career in a new country — created a sense of shared experience in the room. Students recognized parts of their own journeys in the stories and used the discussions to share perspectives and practise communicating with classmates. 

Jesse Friesen served as master of ceremonies, guiding the evening and introducing speakers who shared personal stories about rebuilding their careers after arriving in Canada. 

Jason Zhang, a pharmacist trained in China, shared how communication became the missing piece in his journey to becoming licensed in Canada. After initially failing the final practical exam, he realized the challenge was not knowledge, but confidence in speaking with patients and colleagues. 

“Everyone builds their own puzzle,” he said. “Some are faster, some are slower, and both are okay. It’s always the small pieces that make the big picture.” 

Nabila Fertassi, who trained as a physician in Morocco, spoke about rebuilding professional identity after moving to Canada and encouraged students to stay connected to their purpose. 

“Each of you holds a shared purpose” she said. “to rise above challenges to seek knowledge with determination and to turn that learning into hope, growth, and possibility.” 

She also emphasized that perseverance is easier with the support of others, including family members, classmates and colleagues who understand the challenges of starting a professional journey in a new country. 

“No one can do this alone,” Fertassi said. “We need supportive partners, friends who encourage us and colleagues we can learn from. Together, we can achieve goals that seem impossible alone.”  

Laila Souto Rodrigues, a registered nurse originally from Brazil, spoke about the importance of focusing on small steps while working toward a larger goal. 

“I didn’t need to see the top of the staircase,” she told the audience. “I just needed to focus on the next step.” 

She described how simple actions, such as changing her phone to English, watching television in English and volunteering in health care, helped her gradually build the communication skills needed to continue her nursing career in Manitoba. 

Throughout the evening, students discussed the speakers’ messages at their tables and shared their own experiences navigating language, education and professional pathways in Canada. 

The event also included a master class led by CNI instructors Cheryl Jerome, Mary Brychka, and Amy Armstrong. The session demonstrated what classes in CNI’s Health English programming are like, highlighting how communication training is tailored to real world health-care situations and how effective communication can lead to better outcomes for both patients and health-care providers. 

The event was organized by a CNI team led by Debbie Kroeker, Chair Occupation Language in Health-care, and Aigerim Kassymova, Strategic Coordinator, with support from Mary Brychka, IEHP instructor, and other members of the CNI working group. 

The two-day event invited CNI students to select books donated by the community, helping many newcomers begin or expand their home libraries. 

This year’s event was made possible through generous donations from community partners, including McNally Robinson Booksellers at Grant Park, Westwood Collegiate, Winnipeg Public Libraries and staff from Chapters – Polo Festival and Coles Kildonan Place, along with contributions from CNI staff and the broader College community. Their support helped to provide a wide range of books across genres and reading levels.

Books were sorted and displayed on tables throughout the auditorium, making it easy for participants to explore different sections. Scheduled class visits throughout the day gave students time to browse and choose books that matched their interests and language levels. 

For many newcomers, books play an important role in building language skills and creating a sense of comfort and familiarity. Reading provides opportunities to learn new vocabulary, discover Canadian culture and enjoy stories that reflect their own experiences. 

The book exchange also created opportunities for connection. Students, staff and volunteers shared recommendations and discussed favourite authors and genres, reinforcing the sense of community that is central to CNI. 

The continued success of the book exchange reflects the generosity of community partners and the shared belief that access to books can support learning, confidence and belonging for newcomers.